Do We or Don’t We?

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ…… For each will have to bear his own load.” Galatians 6:2, 5

Paul challenges the Galatians believers to bear each other’s burdens. Then, three verses later, tells them to bear their own burdens. So which verse is right? When we look at the passage carefully, we see that in the first three verses of the chapter, Paul is talking about believers who are caught in sin. When we see that happen with our brothers and sisters, it is our responsibility as Christ followers to care for them, encourage them and challenge them to come back to a right relationship with God. These situations also remind us that we all are susceptible to sin (v.1b, 3). James tells us that if we see someone wandering from the truth, we should bring them back (James 5:19). We all share this burden. In Galatians 6:4, however, Paul shifts his attention to our faithfulness. He cautions us against relying on the sacrifices and service of others and doing ourselves what we know to be right. Paul even tells us to test (examine, scrutinize) our service for Christ. Are we doing what God wants us to do? Are we doing it for the right reasons? When someone falls away from Christ, we all share the responsibility, but when it comes to our own service for Him, it is up to us (with the Spirit’s help) to spread the Truth and care for others in a manner pleasing to Him. When we stand before Christ, each person’s work will be revealed (I Corinthians 3:13).

Do we bear each other’s burdens, or bear our own?

Answer – Both.

-Pastor Mike